Positions available at a given time will be announced on this page. Even in the absence of a job ad below we are always looking for talented prospective PhD candidates and postdocs. Please send a CV with a cover letter to Nathalie Reuter (nathalie.reuter[at]uib.no).
PhD position – Computational Chemistry – FILLED POSITION
This PhD position is associated with the RESPOND3 project “Towards better computational approaches and responsible innovation strategies in early drug discovery: application to antibiotics and COPD”.
The main focus of RESPOND3 will be hit and lead optimization for targets for antibiotics (SAM riboswitch) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (proteinase 3) guided by the use of computational methods as well as the development of new scoring functions using machine learning. The entire project is embedded in a responsible research and innovation strategy. The project will be recruiting 3 postdocs and 2 PhD students in total. Three positions remain to be filled: this position (See below), a PhD position with Prof. Ruth Brenk (apply here) and a Postdoc position with Assoc. Prof. Alexander Selvikvåg Lundevold (apply here), both in structure-based drug design with machine learning.
The main tasks of this position are:
– Modelling of target-compound interactions for compounds targeting serine proteases, and compounds targeting riboswitches;
– Quantification, through the use of molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations, of the relative affinity of datasets of compounds for the two above-mentioned targets;
– Contributions to development and validation of multi-site lambda dynamics, using experimental affinity data generated by the project.
– Application of multi-site lambda dynamics to ligand discovery and design for the targets noted above.
This PhD project will be conducted in the Reuter group (UiB) in collaboration with the group of Charles L.Brooks III at the University of Michigan implying that this position will involve short stays in the Brooks lab at Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Qualifications and personal qualities required:
Applicants must hold a master’s degree or the equivalent in theoretical chemistry, theoretical biophysics or theoretical physics, or must have submitted his/her master’s thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded. Experience from molecular dynamics simulations is a requirement. Knowledge of statistical mechanics (as demonstrated for example by course work) is a requirement. Experience with biomolecular systems is an advantage. Familiarity with UNIX/Linux operating environments and the basics of programming in a suitable language (C/C++, Python, FORTRAN) is an advantage.
Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner, and demonstrate good collaborative skills. Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English. Good command of the Norwegian language or another Scandinavian language is an advantage. Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.
More details about this position and information on how to apply can be found here: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/172204/phd-position-in-computational-chemistry
Postdoctoral position – theoretical biophysics – FILLED POSITION
The PePrMInt project is funded by the Norwegian Research Council (2019-2023). It is a multidisciplinary project lead by Prof. Nathalie Reuter with collaborations with Christine Orengo (UCL, London), Chris Chipot (Univ. Lorraine, France & Urbana-Champaign, Illinois), Anne-Claude Gavin (EMBL, Heidelberg), Willy Nerdal and Bengt Erik Haug (Chemistry Dpt, UiB).
We aim at mapping structural elements and amino acid distributions at membrane-binding sites of peripheral membrane proteins. The project will develop bioinformatics resources and statistical frameworks for the analysis and prediction of peripheral proteins, and investigate energetic contributions of protein-lipid interactions. The project will hire a PhD student (for solid-state NMR experiments), one software developer and two postdoctoral researchers, one in theoretical biophysics (this position) and one in protein bioinformatics. The candidate hired for this position will use molecular dynamics simulations to map interactions between a selection of peripheral proteins (or peptides) and lipids. The person recruited will also perform free energy calculations to quantify the energetics of a selection of peripheral protein-lipid interactions.
Requirements to be qualified for the position:
- hold a PhD in theoretical chemistry, theoretical biophysics or theoretical physics, or have submitted their doctoral thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. PhD must have been awarded by the time of employment;
- knowledge of statistical thermodynamics;
- comprehensive experience with molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations.
In addition, having experience with biomolecular atomistic and coarse grained force fields, with simulations of lipid bilayers and membrane proteins and/or with the Charmm and NAMD simulation packages will be an advantage.
Deadline: 30.04.2019
Start date: from August 2019
Duration of employment: 3 years
More information and application form: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/167788/postdoctoral-research-fellow-position-in-theoretical-biophysics
All applications have to be sent using the form at the above-mentioned link. Applications sent by email only will not be considered.
More information about the work of the group, as well as a list of our publications, can be found at: https://www.cbu.uib.no/reuter/